Heat go for 25 straight against reeling Pistons

(Sports Network) - The Miami Heat will try to extend their historic winning
streak to 25 games Friday night when they welcome the Detroit Pistons to
American Airlines Arena.

The streak is the second-longest in NBA history and the Heat now trail the
1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers' run by nine games.

Getting No. 24 in a row was perhaps Miami's most impressive victory during the
run.

Down by 27 points in the third quarter to LeBron James' old team, the
Cleveland Cavaliers, the Heat went on a furious rally, spurred by James, to
pull out a 97-85 win at Quicken Loans Arena.

"These are unique days in my career as a professional basketball player," said
James. "You know, they came out and jumped all over us, then we came back and
went on one of the best runs I've ever been a part of in this sport."

James registered a triple-double with 25 points, including 19 in the second
half, 12 rebounds and 10 assists.

Five other Heat players scored in double figures, led by 17 from Mario
Chalmers. Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Shane Battier all had 11 and Ray Allen
chipped in 10 off the bench.

The Heat return home after a perfect five-game road trip. They play two in a
row at home and against inferior competition, although that can be said about
almost every team in the league at this point.

After Friday's tilt with the Pistons and Sunday's matchup with the Charlotte
Bobcats, the Heat play in Orlando, Chicago, New Orleans and San Antonio.

Before the streak can reach 25, Miami has to deal with a Pistons team on a
streak of their own. Unfortunately, Detroit is at the other end of the
spectrum, losing nine straight.

Detroit has been off since a Monday home loss to the Brooklyn Nets. The
Pistons haven't won in the month of March and have dropped six consecutive
home games.

Against the Nets, Brooklyn jumped out early with a 36-23 first-quarter romp.
The Nets took the third quarter, 31-14, and polished off a 37-point romp.

Will Bynum paced the Pistons with 18 points off the bench. Greg Monroe added
17 and Rodney Stuckey and Kim English both tallied 10 points.

Lawrence Frank returned to the sidelines for the Pistons on Monday. He had
missed the last six games to be with his ailing wife who underwent surgery for
an undisclosed illness.

If there is a positive for the Pistons, rookie center Andre Drummond, who has
been on the shelf since early February with a back injury, went through a full
practice on Thursday. He is still not expected to be back in the lineup on
Friday.

"If you had seen practice today, you'd never have known I was hurt," said
Drummond.

The Pistons snapped a seven-game losing streak to the Heat with a 109-99 home
victory on Dec. 28 of this season, but Miami avenged the loss almost a month
later in Miami.